6 Tips for Giving Back While You Travel

When traveling to far-flung places, it’s nice to think about how to give back to the communities. That’s what happened to a traveler named Andrew Simpson when he visited an orphanage in Rwanda. After talking with the kids, he asked how he could help. It turned out that it was as simple as visiting the next village over and buying books, pencils, and a football. It was his light-bulb moment: He co-founded mmMule, a social-travel network serving foreign countries that connects locals who need things with travelers who can provide them. AngelMules, as they’re called, deliver clothing, electronics, and food (think of mules with packs). In exchange, they get cultural experiences like stays with native families, tours of local sights, and handmade wares.

If you’re planning a getaway this holiday season, whether you travel to Rwanda or Rhode Island, think about supporting local communities. Co-founder and Marketing Director of mmmule.com, Avis Mulhall, shares her tips for giving back:

1. Dine local.

It may be tempting to slip into the typical, easy tourist traps, but if you go off the beaten path and find where the locals hang out, not only will you probably discover some incredible food, you’re likely to meet some interesting people, share great stories, and find out what the country is like from their perspectives. A bonus: You’ll go home knowing you’ve helped support the local economy by spending your dollars at local establishments.

2. Visit local markets.

Try to avoid big shopping centers attached to high-end resorts, and visit local markets and swap meets instead. Don’t push too hard for a good bargain, though. These folks make their living off your dollar. If you’re dealing with foreign currency, try to mentally convert it back: You’re usually haggling over a couple of dollars that doesn’t mean much to you but can make a huge difference to a family in a developing country.

3. Do your research.

Make a concerted effort to seek out eco-friendly tour operators, and think carefully about how your activity will impact the local environment and community. As fun as it is to venture into remote communities, you should to consider the environmental impact of your vehicle or your ventures, too.

Whether you travel to Rwanda or Rhode Island, think about supporting local communities.

4. Give away your garb.

As you travel through different climates, instead of ditching your overused or no-longer-in-season outfits in the hostel or hotel, ask the local staff if there’s a shelter nearby that accepts donations. It’s far more rewarding to drop off your unwanted clothing to people who really need it than to leave it behind in a hotel.

5. Stay with a family.

Choosing a home-stay is a great way to introduce yourself to a country, as you can pick up the basics of the language, learn about the culture, and get amazing tips on where to go. The host family will likely hook you up with relatives in other towns, so it’s worth “roughing it,” I think. I’ve stayed in mud huts, on mats on floors, in comfortable beds under wonderful animal skin rugs, even out under the stars. You never know what to expect.

6. Believe you can make a difference.

Tourism is a key driver in championing social change. It’s a fantastic way to inject cash and jobs into a local economy, leading to improvements in health and education, which can create sustainable change over the long term. One person can change the world—or maybe just change one person’s world. But at the end of the day, isn’t that what we’re all here for?